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MCE 222 Fluid Mechanics 3

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MCE 222 Fluid Mechanics 3

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jibrilsjibril0913
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19-04-2024

MCE 222: FUNDAMENTALS OF FLUID


MECHANICS
LECTURE NOTE 3

Engr. Usman Bala Soja


Department of Civil Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

ubsoja@fudutsinma.edu.ng
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILITUDE

Outline:

▪ Dimensions and Units


▪ Dimensional analysis and
similarity
▪ Buckingham Pi Theorem and its
application in Fluid mechanics
▪ Dimensionless parameters in Fluid
Mechanics
INTRODUCTION
▪ Dimensions: A dimension represents a physical quantity without
specific numerical values, while a unit assigns a numerical value to that
dimension.

For instance, length is a dimension measured in units like feet (ft),


centimetres (cm), meters (m), kilometres (km), etc.

There are seven fundamental dimensions: mass, length, time,


temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, and amount of
substance.

▪ Need for Dimensional Analysis:


I. Helps understand physical situations
II. Reduces number of variables
III. Allows use of simpler model studies
IV. Enables generalization of experimental results
▪ Dimensional Homogeneity: Equation must be dimensionally consistent.

Example, the formula F = ma is a fundamental equation in physics,


where:
F represents the force exerted on an object
m represents the mass of the object
a represents the acceleration of the object

To demonstrate the dimensional homogeneity of this equation, we can break down


the dimensions of each variable:

1.The dimension of force (F) is [M][L][T]^-2 (mass × length / time^2)


2.The dimension of mass (m) is [M] (mass)
3.The dimension of acceleration (a) is [L][T]^-2 (length / time^2)

When we substitute these dimensional terms into the equation F = ma, we can see
that the dimensions on both sides of the equation are consistent:

[M][L][T]^-2 = [M][L][T]^-2
BUKINGHAM PI THEOREM
Introduction

▪ Buckingham Pi theorem also none as method of repeated variables, is a


systematic way to obtain dimensionless parameters (Pi terms)

▪ Understanding dimensionless parameters like the drag coefficient is crucial in fluid


dynamics because it allows us to characterize and compare different flow
situations regardless of scale or specific conditions.

▪ For example, knowing the drag coefficient helps engineers design efficient
vehicles and structures by predicting how they will behave in various fluid
environments.
Example Problem: Calculate the drag coefficient for a given flow
situation using Buckingham Pi Theorem.

Step 1: List all relevant variables:

Fluid density (ρ),


Fluid viscosity (μ),
Velocity of the flow (v),
Characteristic length of the object (L),
Drag force (F_D)
Step 2: Express variables in terms of basic dimensions:

Fluid density (ρ) – (kg/m^3) - [M/L^3]


Fluid viscosity (μ)- (kg/(m.s)) - [M/L·T]
Velocity (v) – (m/s) - [L/T]
Characteristic length (L) - [L]
Drag force (F_D) - [M·L/T^2]
Step 3: Apply the Buckingham Pi Theorem: The Buckingham Pi
Theorem states that the number of dimensionless π-groups is equal
to the number of variables (n) minus the number of fundamental
dimensions (k).

In this case, we have 5 variables and 3 fundamental dimensions


(mass, length, and time), so the number of dimensionless π-groups
is: n - k = 5 - 3 = 2

The two dimensionless π-groups can be expressed as:


π₁ = ρ·v·L / μ = (Reynolds number, Re)
π₂ = F_D / (ρ·v^2·L^2) = (Drag coefficient, C_D)
Step 4: Express the relationship between the π-groups: The
relationship between the two dimensionless π-groups can be
expressed as:
C_D = f(Re)

where f is a function that relates the drag coefficient to the


Reynolds number.
Step 5:Determine the drag coefficient: Once the relationship
between the drag coefficient and the Reynolds number is known,
you can use it to determine the drag coefficient for the given flow
situation.

For example, if the Reynolds number is known, you can look up the
corresponding drag coefficient from a table or a graph of
the C_D vs. Re relationship.
SIMILITUDE AND TYPES OF SIMILARITY

▪ Similitude: Predicting prototype behaviour from model studies

Similitude is a crucial concept in engineering model testing, as


theoretical solutions for hydraulic phenomena are often elusive.
Hence, experimental investigations, conducted on smaller scale
models, are essential. Examples include spillways, energy dissipation
structures, and river channels.

▪ Model: is a small-scale replica of the actual structure.

▪ Prototype: the actual structure.


SIMILITUDE AND TYPES OF SIMILARITY

1. Geometric Similarity

I. Model and prototype have same shape but


differ only in size.
II. All dimensions scaled by a constant
ratio Example: Scale model of an aircraft or
Car.
SIMILITUDE AND TYPES OF SIMILARITY

2. Kinematic Similarity

I. Particle paths geometrically similar


II. Velocity vectors scaled by same
factor Example: Flow patterns around
models
SIMILITUDE AND TYPES OF SIMILARITY

3. Dynamic Similarity

I. All forces scaled by same


factor
II. Achieved by matching
dimensionless parameters
III. Ensures complete
similitude Example: Matching
Reynolds number for pipe flow
DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS IN FLUID
MECHANICS
Reynolds Number (Re)
Weber Number (We)
▪ Ratio of inertial to viscous forces
▪ Ratio of inertial to surface tension forces
▪ Re = ρVL/μ
▪ We = ρV^2L/σ
▪ Governs flow regime (laminar/turbulent)
▪ Significant in multiphase/free surface
flows
Froude Number (Fr)
▪ Ratio of inertial to gravitational forces
Mach Number (Ma)
▪ Fr = V/(gL)^0.5
▪ Ratio of flow velocity to sound speed
▪ Relevant for free surface flows
▪ Ma = V/c
▪ Compressibility effects for high-speed
Euler Number (Eu)
flows
▪ Ratio of pressure to inertial forces
▪ Eu = ΔP/(ρV^2)
▪ Used in analysis of turbomachines
REFERENCES
▪ Munson, B. R., Young, D. F., Okiishi, T. H., & Huebsch, W. W. (2009).
Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics (6th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

▪ Çengel, Y. A., & Cimbala, J. M. (2006). Fluid Mechanics:


Fundamentals and Applications. McGraw-Hill Education.

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